The calendar that is formally used in Iran is called Persian Calendar (or the Solar Hijri calendar). It is not an exaggeration to say that Persian Calander is one of the world's most exact calendar systems. The Solar Hijri calendar should not be confused with the Islamic calendar (or Hijri calendar) utilized in many Islamic countries and by Muslims around the globe.
The Persian Calendar is a solar calendar, signifying that its time calculation is formed on the Earth's movements around the Sun.
Unalike the Gregorian calendar system that goes along with a set of pre-arranged rules to stay in sync with the solar year, the Persian Calendar is based upon astronomical observations. The year starts at midnight nearest to the vernal equinox in Iran. The first day of the New Year is called Nowruz, and it’s celebrated around the globe by Iranian peoples.
There are several religious and national holidays in the Persian Calendar. The highlighted ones in red are of those that tourist sites and museums are closed.
Iran Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
| 03 January | Birthday of Imam Ali | Public Holiday |
| 16 January | Prophet Muhammad's Ascension | Religious Holiday |
| 04 February | Imam Mahdi's Birthday | Religious Holiday |
| 11 February | Victory of the Islamic Revolution | National Holiday |
| 11 March | Martyrdom of Imam Ali | Museums and historical sites may be closed |
| 20 March | Eid al-Fitr | Religious Holiday |
| 21–24 March | Nowruz | Nowruz Holidays Persian New Year Celebrations |
| 01 April | Islamic Republic Day | National Holiday |
| 02 April | Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day) | Outdoor Celebration |
| 13 April | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq | Historical attractions may be closed |
| 28 May | Eid al-Adha (Eid-e-Qorban) | Religious Holiday |
| 04 June | Eid al-Ghadir & Death Anniversary of Imam Khomeini | Public Holiday |
| 05 June | Khordad National Uprising | National Observance |
| 24 June | Tasua | Most museums and historical sites closed |
| 25 June | Ashura | Most tourist attractions closed |
| 04 August | Arbaeen | Religious cities become crowded |
| 12 August | Death of Prophet Muhammad | Possible closure of attractions |
| 14 August | Martyrdom of Imam Reza | Major Religious Holiday |
| 22 August | Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Askari | Public Mourning Day |
| 25 August | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad & Imam Sadeq | Religious Celebration |
| 14 November | Martyrdom of Fatimah | Some museums may close |
| 23 December | Birthday of Imam Ali | Religious Holiday |
Red-highlighted dates indicate holidays when museums, historical monuments, and cultural attractions in Iran may be closed or operate with limited hours.
Iran Public Holidays 2027
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
| 06 January | Prophet Muhammad's Ascension | Religious Holiday |
| 24 January | Imam Mahdi's Birthday | Religious Holiday |
| 11 February | Victory of the Islamic Revolution | National Holiday |
| 28 February | Martyrdom of Imam Ali | Museums and historical sites may be closed |
| 10 March | Eid al-Fitr | Religious Holiday |
| 11 March | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 20 March | Oil Nationalization Day | National Observance |
| 21–24 March | Nowruz | Nowruz Holidays Persian New Year Celebrations |
| 01 April | Islamic Republic Day | National Holiday |
| 02 April | Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day) | Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day) |
| 03 April | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq | Historical attractions may be closed |
| 17 May | Eid al-Adha (Eid-e-Qorban) | Religious Holiday |
| 25 May | Eid al-Ghadir | Religious Celebration |
| 04 June | Death Anniversary of Imam Khomeini | Public Holiday |
| 05 June | Khordad National Uprising | National Observance |
| 14 June | Tasua | Museums and historical sites may be closed |
| 15 June | Ashura | Museums and historical sites may be closed |
| 25 July | Arbaeen | Religious cities become crowded |
| 02 August | Death of Prophet Muhammad | Possible closure of attractions |
| 03 August | Martyrdom of Imam Reza | Major Religious Holiday |
| 11 August | Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Askari | Public Mourning Day |
| 20 August | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad & Imam Sadeq | Religious Celebration |
| 03 November | Martyrdom of Fatimah | Some museums may close |
| 12 December | Birthday of Imam Ali | Religious Holiday |
| 26 December | Prophet Muhammad's Ascension (Second Occurrence in Lunar Calender) | Religious Holiday |
Red-highlighted dates indicate holidays when museums, historical monuments, and cultural attractions in Iran may be closed or operate with limited hours.